Rio Celeste Hideaway
Casitas in an 80-acre reserve in the foothills of Tenorio Volcano, with private trails down to the Río Celeste, where guests can swim, and three heated jacuzzis by the pool.
3-starView hotel
Río Celeste and Tenorio Volcano
A river of brilliant turquoise water in Tenorio Volcano National Park, ending in a waterfall, about 1.5 hours from Liberia airport. Most of our clients spend 2 nights here.
- Fly into
- LIR
- Liberia about 1.5 hours
- Stay
- 2 nights
- What most of our clients choose
- Best weather
- Dec to Apr
- Dry season, the bluest water
- Region
- Guanacaste
- Tenorio Volcano National Park
- Pairs with
- Arenal
- Private transfer, about 1.5 hours
Why go
A river the colour of the sky
Locals say the river turned blue when God dipped his brush in it while he was painting the sky. The science is sulfur and calcium carbonate, and it takes nothing away from the magic. The hike in Tenorio Volcano National Park, created in 1995, runs about 6 km past hot springs, lagoons and viewpoints to the waterfall, and to the spot where two rivers meet and the blue river begins. Howler, white-faced and spider monkeys live in the forest, with sloths, anteaters and coatis.
The waterfall hikeAbout 6 km in Tenorio Volcano National Park
SwimmingOutside the park, never inside it
On the riverTubing, or rafting 13 km of the Tenorio
Two bases near the blue river
- Río CelesteLodges in the forest close to the river and the national park, one with its own trails down to the water.2 hotels we book
- Tenorio and BijaguaA few km south of Bijagua village, between the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes.1 hotel we book
Hotels we know personally
3-star and above only, chosen by our team in Costa Rica.
When to go
Bluest in the dry season
The river is at its most beautiful in the dry season, when the water is bluest and the trails are less muddy, and those are also the busiest months. From May to November the trails can get very muddy, so pack rain gear and wear sturdy hiking boots.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Dry season, the bluest waterGreen season, muddy trailsSemana Santa, 21 to 28 March 2027: plan early
Between Guanacaste and Arenal
From Liberia (LIR)about 1.5 hoursPrivate transfer, with a meet and greet at arrivals
From Arenalabout 1.5 hoursPrivate transfer, a natural stop on the way to the Guanacaste beaches
From San José (SJO)about 4 hoursBy road, the longer way in
Where to go next
Where our clients go after Río Celeste
Good to know
Río Celeste questions we answer every week
Can I swim in Río Celeste?
Not inside the national park, where swimming is not allowed. Outside the park you can, for example by the bridge about 1 km from the park entrance, and Rio Celeste Hideaway has private trails down to the river for its guests.
How long is the Río Celeste hike?
About 6 km on foot, past hot springs, lagoons and viewpoints to the waterfall. Guided tours often follow a five-hour circuit. The hot springs are no longer open for a soak.
How many nights do I need at Río Celeste?
2 nights is what most of our clients choose: time for the waterfall hike and a second outing, tubing on the river or a night walk to look for tapirs in Bijagua.
When is the best time to visit Río Celeste?
The dry season, December to April, when the river is at its bluest and the trails are less muddy. Those are also the busiest months.
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Since 2004 in Costa RicaOver 25,000 clients1,200+ five-star reviewsICT licensed, Declaratoria Turística